Pierre powers Lugnuts past Dragons, 8-5

LANSING, Mich. – Gustavo Pierre drove in five runs, including a second inning grand slam, to lead the Lansing Lugnuts (5-9) to a 8-5 win over the Dayton Dragons (5-12) on Monday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

Down 2-1 in the second, Lansing loaded the bases against Dragons’ starter Ismael Guillon (Loss, 0-3). Jorge Flores drew a walk to tie the score, 2-2, before Pierre followed with a blast to left-center field, his third homer of the year, giving the Lugnuts a 6-2 lead.

Pierre’s home run was the first for the Lugnuts since April 10th against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

Christian Lopes added a pair of insurance runs for the Lugnuts in the bottom of the eighth inning with a two-run single to left, pushing Lansing’s advantage to 8-5.

After having a poor showing in the three-game series in Fort Wayne, the Lugnuts bullpen held the Dragons scoreless over the final four innings of the game, striking out five and not allowing a single hit. Chuck Ghysels pitched the ninth inning, converting his second save of the season.

Lansing starter Javier Avendano (Win, 2-1) battled through five innings on the mound, allowing five runs, four of them earned, on eight hits. He struck out two and walked two.

The Lugnuts and Dragons meet once again Tuesday in game two of the three-game series. Lansing will send southpaw Alonzo Gonzalez (1-1, 4.63) against Dayton’s right-hander Pedro Diaz (0-0, 3.86). First pitch is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. on a Grand Slam School Day.

Lansing Lugnuts tickets are available for purchase at lansinglugnuts.com and by calling 517-485-4500, and Lugnuts text alerts are easily accessed by texting LUGNUTS to 313131.

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